Boeing Whistleblower's Death Ignites Ongoing Safety Concerns
A new Netflix documentary series, 'Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing', has shed light on the safety concerns within the company. The film follows the story of John Barnett, a former quality manager at the 787 Dreamliner plant in Charleston, South Carolina, who raised concerns about manufacturing practices during his tenure from 1985 to 2017.
Barnett reported issues such as metal debris near flight control wiring, incomplete records, missing parts, and pressure to meet production schedules. He also performed tests suggesting that a portion of emergency oxygen systems might not function if installed incorrectly. In 2017, he filed complaints with the FAA and OSHA.
Barnett's death in March 2024, ruled as a self-inflicted gunshot wound, was a significant factor in Kennedy's continued reporting on Boeing. The documentary includes testimony from other current and former employees who reported safety issues to management.